10 days in Lapland & Helsinki Itinerary

An urban center set amongst the great Arctic wilderness, Rovaniemi serves as the capital of Lapland province.

On the 19th (Wed), don't miss a visit to Lordi's Square, then take an exotic tour of a safari tour, then see Santa Claus Office, and finally make a trip to Santa Claus Village. Here are some ideas for day two: get in on the family fun at SantaPark - the Home Cavern of Santa Claus, then take an in-depth tour of Arktikum, and then pause for some serene contemplation at Rovaniemi Church.

To find where to stay, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Rovaniemi trip planner.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Rovaniemi is an approximately 13.5-hour flight. You can also drive. Traveling from Dubai to Rovaniemi, you'll gain 2 hours due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Dubai in December, expect Rovaniemi to be cooler, temps between -6°C and -13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Thu) to allow time to drive to Kittila.

Kittilä is a municipality of Finland and a popular holiday resort.It is located in northern Finland north of the Arctic Circle within the Lapland region. On the 21st (Fri), don't miss a visit to Lapland Hotels SnowVillage, join the crowd at Icekarting Levi, then view the masterpieces at LUVATTUMAA - Levi Ice Gallery, and finally take an in-depth tour of Samiland. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 22nd (Sat): explore the landscape on two wheels at Levi Ski Resort.

For reviews, photos, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Kittila trip planner.

Drive from Rovaniemi to Kittila in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Expect a daytime high around -5°C in December, and nighttime lows around -15°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sat) so you can travel to Helsinki.

Finland's largest and most populated metropolis, the maritime town of Helsinki boasts varied architecture, a lively cafe culture, and plethora of picturesque natural delights.

You'll visit kid-friendly attractions like Sea Fortress Suomenlinna and Helsinki Cathedral. Pack the 24th (Mon) with family-friendly diversions at Linnanmaki Amusement Park. And it doesn't end there: take in the architecture and atmosphere at Temppeliaukio Church, get to know the fascinating history of The Esplanadi Park, enjoy the sand and surf at Hietaranta Beach, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Uspenskin Cathedral (Uspenskin Katedraali).

To find maps, where to stay, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Helsinki route planning site.

You can fly from Kittila to Helsinki in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and train. In December, Helsinki is a bit warmer than Kittila - with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. On the 27th (Thu), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.